"The Beijing Conference": See How China Quietly Took Over Africa

Back in 1885, to much fanfare, the General Act of the Berlin Conference launched the Scramble for Africa which saw the partition of the continent, formerly a loose aggregation of various tribes, into the countries that currently make up the southern continent, by the dominant superpowers (all of them European) of the day. Subsequently Africa was pillaged, plundered, and in most places, left for dead. The fact that a credit system reliant on petrodollars never managed to take hold only precipitated the "developed world" disappointment with Africa, no matter what various enlightened, humanitarian singer/writer/poet/visionaries claim otherwise. And so the continent languished. Until what we have dubbed as the "Beijing Conference" quietly took place, and to which only Goldman Sachs, which too has been quietly but very aggressively expanding in Africa, was invited. As the map below from Stratfor shows, ever since 2010, when China pledged over $100 billion to develop commercial projects in Africa, the continent has now become de facto Chinese territory. Because where the infrastructure spending has taken place, next follow strategic sovereign investments, and other modernization pathways, until gradually Africa is nothing but an annexed territory for Beijing, full to the brim with critical raw materials, resources and supplies. So while the "developed world" was and continues to deny the fact that it is broke, all the while having exactly zero money to invest in expansion, China is quietly taking over the world. Literally.

In late July, Beijing hosted the 5th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, during which China pledged up to $20 billion to African countries over the next three years. China has proposed or committed about $101 billion to commercial projects in Africa since 2010, some of which are under negotiation while others are currently under way. Together, construction and natural resource deals total approximately $90 billion, or about 90 percent of Chinese commercial activity in Africa since 2010. These figures could be even higher because of an additional $7.5 billion in unspecified commitments to South Africa and Zambia, likely intended for mining projects. Of the remaining $3 billion in Chinese commercial commitments to Africa, about $2.1 billion will be used on local manufacturing projects. While China has proposed $750 million for agriculture and general development aid and about $50 million to support small- and medium-sized business development in addition to the aforementioned projects, it has been criticized for the extractive nature of its relationship with many African countries, as well as the poor quality of some of its construction work. However, since many African countries lack the indigenous engineering capability to construct these large-scale projects or the capital to undertake them, African governments with limited resources welcome Chinese investments enthusiastically. These foreign investment projects are also a boon for Beijing, since China needs African resources to sustain its domestic economy, and the projects in Africa provide a destination for excess Chinese labor.

I'm not usually a picky bitch, but check out the legend for this map. Isn't Fe the symbol for iron and Cu for copper? This does not totally detract from the point that China is light years ahead of the US in actual investment of Africa's infrastructure whereas we have mostly allocated our monies to the bottomless pits of corrupt charity and maintaining overt and covert military presence, neither of which have made much improvement in the lives of regular people. It seems that a new article every 3-5 days comes out about China's latest investment on the continent. I hate all of this. The people are being squeezed between two "superpowers" that are out to plunder every last resource while teasing the populace with crumbs of modernisation.

This does not totally detract from the point that China is light years ahead of the US in actual investment of Africa's infrastructure whereas we have mostly allocated our monies to the bottomless pits of corrupt charity and maintaining overt and covert military presence, neither of which have made much improvement in the lives of regular people.

__________________________________

How so? China is a late comer. 'Americans' are well ahead in Africa.

The outcry on Chinese advance in Africa comes from the fact that Chinese can only advance at the expense of the 'Americans' as the Africans are being fleeced by 'Americans' already.

It is all about who is going to be the extorter and the farmer. And 'Americans' have very little grip on that as the Chinese advance through trade and diplomacy. Considering the past of the 'Americans' on the African continent, the 'Americans' cant oppose in any way to that.

Does not matter. Once anything looks promising in Africa the Obama like leader says "you didn't build that" , enter nationalization of the industry, corruption of the government, toppling of the government and then destruction of infrastructure. Happens all the time in Africa and now sadly coming to the USA.

South Africa had the most infrastructure and once the last people that "did not build it" are gone, they will be shitting in holes once again.

Actually, it is all about the sub Saharan's inability to suppress their wants of immediate self gratification. Working hard for a long time never enters their minds- the thought of just taking it overpowers everything.

Ever seen a "Flash-Mob"? Well, wait for a megamob when their EBT cards stop giving them the gratifications they have grown accustomed to not earning.

All of my old vinyl broken records, endlessly and monotonously repeating the same lines over and over and over, were still vastly more entertaining to listen to than you are. At least they did not lie over and over and over.

There appears to be a need for members of the human race, from the ruling classes to the lowly, to be a member of a nation which is on land and controlled by borders.

However, there are many who do not always agree or wish to partake in what their nations deem is necessary. People are upset by their leaders invoking arbitrary regulations, the loss of freedoms, the military, lies, mean spirited politicking and so on. Who wants to be part of something like this?

With the Internet illustrating what the future may hold, from international business, communications, ideas and so forth, why not have a virtual nation?

A nation which has its own Bill of Rights, its own ideals, issues passports, currency, its own banks? It would be transparent in what it does, have no military and refuse to partake in offensive actions against Nations on earth. Maybe it could concentrate on the positive, not reduce itself to paranoia and why not? It is difficult to invade a nation which only exists in the virtual world, would it not?

This nation could have its own industries, services and so on.

Members of this nation would be free to live anywhere where the passports are accepted and if there are enough members, its currency strong and the people peaceful, who would not allow them in as guests?

That's a great idea and a similar concept was/is being developed by a wealthy 'captain of industry' interested in building huge floating 'islands' that can be placed in international waters and develop its own culture/mores/laws. Libertarian is the word of the day, not only with his 'island nations' but it is becoming a more and more desirable concept to citizens in the US, as we are pillaged daily by our gov't.

Here is a link I just pulled off google. Interesting concepts, both - bizarre, but interesting.

Just don't try giving up your American Citizenship to become a citizen of either of these two concept-countries. Little Chucky Shoomaah and his boys from Capitol Hill will send the IRS hoodlums after you and squeeze you for every last drop of $$ you've got. Remember - he was going to author the 'ex-patriot act' in addition to the already wonderful 'Patriot Act' a/k/a Marial Law, under which we now live. The Ex-Pat act was basically a way to figure out how to rape one of the Facebook founders who gave up citizenship a few years ago for every penny he made when the company went public - until it face-planted. It's too bad our entire Legislative Branch wouldn't leave and go live on one of these islands. We could all pay for them as taxpayers and still save a trillion or so a year, just by electing a 100% fresh House & Senate. The Pres, well, we could save money buying or building him a new continent.

One does not take over Africa. One buys off the leadership temporarily, then goes about raping and pillaging---figuratively and literally---until the locals remind the interlopers that they are overstaying and unwelcome guests.

Those in the derivatives market know full well that to a Chinese, a contract is merely something that stays in force so long as the benefits accrue to the Chinese. If circumstances change, Chinese renege. Why do the Chinese think Africans will behave differently? Just yesterday I read of a Chinese "boss" in an African country who was slaughtered by the locals after a labor dispute. In my own travels I have not seen that the Chinese are particularly well liked; in fact it is quite the opposite. I'm willing to bet that once the checks clear or the suitcases of cash are scurried away, lots of Africans are going to turn all Hugo Chavez-like and send the foreign vermin packing.

Actually, we didn't sell China anything. Instead our captains of indurstry with the connivance of our bought political elite thought it would be a good idea to give our manufacturing to China. So now all our manufacturing and the income produced has produced a wealthy China and a hollowed out, deficit producing US. It is brilliant I tell you.

We couldn't sell the rope to China if we wanted since we don't make it anymore.

Wait... While the Chinese follow the advice of the Founders of America -- that is. to stay out of the affairs of other nations but still trade and form ecomonic alliances ... The USSA lead by the elite banking intersest utilizing the latest "leader" pawns such as Field Marshal Clinton and Commador Obummer, continue to demand, sanction, attack, invade and occupy any or all that won't submit to the FRN Ponzi scheme or relinquish the rights to their resources.

I hate the fact that the US Government is even allowed to utilize the American Flag as a symbol of their arrogance and stupidity, while constitutionally (as in rule of law) minded Americans are shunned by brain washed sheep who get their idealism from CNBC or FOX. The only hope for the US is eventual States rights and potentially civil war.

With Israel offering much-needed technical expertise and China representing a huge new market and influential voice in the international debate over Iran's nuclear program, the two nations have stepped up military cooperation as they patch up a rift caused by a pair of failed arms deals scuttled by the U.S.

The improved ties have been highlighted by this week's visit to Beijing by Israel's military chief and a training mission to Israel by the Chinese paramilitary force that, among other things, polices the restive Tibetan and Muslim Uighur regions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to travel to China in the coming weeks.

After their meeting Monday, both China's chief of staff, Gen. Chen Bingde, and his Israeli counterpart, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, hailed the growing ties and held out the possibility of even closer military cooperation.

US angered by Israeli missile sale By ROBERT BURNS, AP National Security Writer, in Washington 19 April 2001 THE Pentagon is angry with Israel after it discovered the Chinese fighter jet that collided with a US reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea was carrying Israeli-made air-to-air missiles.

Curiously American Jews have been adopting girls from Mainland China for at least a decade, from Los Angeles to the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut region.

-------and a training mission to Israel by the Chinese paramilitary force that, among other things, polices the restive Tibetan and Muslim Uighur regions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to travel to China in the coming weeks.----

Pesky peasants getting a little too restive, Need expert tactics for maximizing that oppressive boot on the neck, Come to the best, Buy from the best, Israel.

I suspect it will be a growth industry over the next couple centuries.

Finally ... intelligent people questioning prevalent notions of "development" by using "developed world" with quotation marks ... Also, nobody questions the idea of nations or cultures involved in transnational business. Problems arise when said business, just like "free markets", are nothing but "developed world" schemes to plunder world's resources and populations (they first started with "foreign" nations and peoples to soon – today in Europe and the US - proceed to rip-off their own nations and populations). China today? Don't really know, maybe, maybe not. Time will tell. One thing is for sure, peoples and nations are much geopolitically aware today than they were in the XIX Century. There was a Ghandi, a Nasser, a M. L. King, a Nehru, a Mandela, a Morales and/or a Correa. History (may rhyme, at times, but) does not repeat itself.

Recall how the US refused to buy chromium, which was essential in the manufacture of jet engines etc., from pro-Western Rhodesia, a staunch ally of England, the US, and instead bought it from the Soviet Union, their avowed enemy. You see the evil of Rhodesia was that it was a WHITE run nation. The most hated of all things to the elite. After they had South Africa stab Rhodesia in the back then they slit South Africa's throat. So now our beloved friend, China, has all the goodies. And, that is how the ELITE want it.

You see the evil of Rhodesia was that it was a WHITE protestant run nation. The most hated of all things to the Vatican. After they had South Africa stab Rhodesia in the back then they slit South Africa's throat. So now our beloved friend, China, has all the goodies. And, that is how the VATICAN wants it.

I'm confused. Isn't global trade a good thing for 'the people?' Investment in infrastructure is going to use local product and labor to some degree. And people living in Africa with money will buy stuff. And having 100 billion of extra investment will induce more law and order.

Either these actions lead to enough investment in Africa or the nation states will eventually take the assets and bring in someone else to run them.

And further, if China gets more resources from new sources, does that not lower the price for other sources?

While I think the Chinese leaders might think this is some sort of hugely important strategic play, I just see good business and trade. Africa is capital starved and lacks stability. This probably improves both of those.

The Africans have already figtured it out the Yellow Devils are no better than those White Devils one century earlier. From what I read, tons of labor riots in those Chinese-controlled mines across the entire Africa. In many cases, the key theme is always the ame, that is anyry workers demand safer working conditions and prompt wage payment. Yes, those riots have caused many Chinese deaths. To the Yellow Deveils' surprise, those Black Devils are must more difficult to be brainwashed and controlled than their own peasantry at home.

From what I read, tons of labor riots in those Chinese-controlled mines across the entire Africa. In many cases, the key theme is always the ame, that is anyry workers demand safer working conditions and prompt wage payment.

"Why you no work in mine?! Mine perfectry safe as mine in China. You go now. You go get on pratform rift erevator. Go dig in mine now. Payment srightry derayed. Money boat srowed down by storm squarrs, but weather better now. Smoothe sairing ahead, money boat soon make randing in port. You go now. You work hard, we bring you sraves from Tibet."

The irony if the Chinese oligarchs and their corporate lackeys succeed where the European regents and their navies and colonists failed - in conquering and "civilizing" Africa (don't be raycisss, I mean the REAL White Man's Burden - Africa into a subdued continent of productive mercantilist economies, only with China as the benefactor) --- ironic because the Chinese are every bit as racist against blacks as the western European colonists were, and even more ironic because for being ChiCOMS, they're such shrewd businessmen.

Our Stete dept pushed whites out of power across Africa, it was "public policy" to impose "Socialist black mob rule" or face a total economic embargo, they were laying the groundwork for a Chinese takeover of Africa, at some point in time we cut a deal with China, "we" get the mideast uncontested, and "they" get Africa uncontested, our Africa policy was never about Black self rule, but to do that they had to remove all those pesky white settlers that had moved into Africa over the last 500 years.

Before it was colonial powers this time it is China. Same shit different flavours.

Since apparently most projects are using Chinese labour and the local markets are flooded with cheap chinese products, the local populations are going to be pissed off again eventually as they are saddled with more vendor financed debt while the leaders and elites ride atop once again. (The Western equivalent would be WFP dumping dirt cheap food onto Africa thereby killing any farming industry for consumption crops - not for export - and the Structural Adjustment Programs.)

Nothing has changed, perhaps this time it is just a iron fist in velvet.

More optimistically, I would guess China has learnt from and will act differently from the colonials. Just as long as there is enough money flowing in for financed projects, not like it seems to matter if they are not profitable.